By Christopher Shaban
EAGLE TIMES STAFF
CLAREMONT — Stevens Field Hockey has a coach with 20 years at the helm, an assistant coach with 10 years of experience and another with four years on the sidelines. Add to that a booming recreation program and the sky’s the limit for this program. Head Coach Patty Deschaine, assistant Rick Deschaine, along with Abby Rouillard and Crustal Simons have built a program that boasts 20 players at the varsity level and is still growing. “We have some great numbers this year and I expect it to grow even more,” said Patty Deschaine. “I am so excited.”
The Cardinals reached the final four last season with a very limited bench and less than a full team on the field at times. “Last year we played a game with only nine players and won but this season will be a whole different story, we are ready and will surprise some people I think,” said coach Patty.
The summer had these players competing at Colby Sawyer College and Proctor Academy and, according to their goalkeeper, they are ready. “I have a pretty solid outlook, we had a great summer program, and the freshmen all came in in shape and ready,” said senior Ashley Michaud. “I am ready to win a title, ‘’ added Michaud.
The Cardinals open their season on Monday at Newport at 4.
LET THE PRANKING BEGIN
Over the years, there has been a rivalry between the Stevens Field Hockey and Men’s Soccer teams that has taken place off the field, and this year it has started early.
Coaches Patty Deschaine and Jason Stone are two very respected longtime coaches in the city, and they have an ongoing battle of good, spirited competition. “We showed up at practice and couldn’t believe what we saw,” said Deschaine. The field hockey goal was wrapped in plastic and decorated with balloons and a candy filled Pinata.
Over the years there have been decorated goals, stickers placed on training equipment, missing equipment, objects planted on fields and other good nature fun, but this year the boys have started early.
“This isn’t the end, we will have a response,” said field hockey senior Ashley Michaud. Stay tuned.
TEAM SCHEDULE
08/29/22 at Newport 4:00 PM
08/31/22 Winnisquam 6:30 PM
09/06/22 at Conant 4:00 PM
09/09/22 Hopkinton 4:00 PM
09/12/22 at Monadnock 4:00 PM
09/15/22 Kearsarge 6:30 PM
09/20/22 at Littleton 4:00 PM
09/24/22 at Kearsarge 12:00 PM
09/26/22 Monadnock 4:00 PM
09/29/22 Mascenic 6:30 PM
10/05/22 at Mascoma Valley 4:00 PM
10/07/22 at Mascenic 4:00 PM
10/10/22 Newport 6:00 PM
10/13/22 Conant 6:00 PM
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